Gas circulating and timer means with magnetic coupling drive means for cam actuated switches

ABSTRACT

A shaft extends through a motor. A fan is carried on one end of the shaft and on the other end a magnet. A rotor is spaced from and in axial alignment with the magnet. A second magnet is carried by the rotor juxtaposition the first magnet such that the motor, when operating, rotates the fan and the first magnet, the first magnet causing rotation of the second magnet and thereby the rotor. A cam means which operates switch means is coupled to the rotor.

Unite States Patent Murray et al.

GAS CIRCULATING AND TIMER MEANS WITH MAGNETIC COUPLING DRIVE MEANS FORCAM ACTUATED SWITCHES Inventors: Stephen F. Murray; Maurice E.

Schuder, both of Indianapolis, Ind.

P.R. Mallory & Co. Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.

Filed: Mar. 10, 1972 Appl. No.: 233,641

Assignee:

U.S. Cl 200/38 R, 200/38 BA, ZOO/81.9 M, 335/205 Int. CL... 1101b 7/08,H0111 35/40, l-lOlh 36/00 Field of Search 200/38 R, 38 B, 56 R, ZOO/81.9M; 335/205, 207

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1970 Tolegian 335/205 X June26, 1973 2,611,051 9/1952 Van Santen Kolff 335/205 3,500,005 3/1970Brown 200/38 B 2,620,412 12/1952 Ford 335/207 X 2,915,606 12/1959 KnauthZOO/81.9 M X Primary Examiner-4. R. Scott Attorney-Richard H. Childress,Robert F. Meyers etalv ABSTRACT A shaft extends through a motor. A fanis carried on one end of the shaft and on the other end a magnet. Arotor is spaced from and in axial alignment with the magnet. A secondmagnet is carried by the rotor juxtaposition the first magnet such thatthe motor, when operating, rotates the fan and the first magnet, thefirst magnet causing rotation of the second magnet and thereby therotor. A cam means which operates switch means is coupled to the rotor.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GAS CIRCULATING AND TIMER MEANS WITHMAGNETIC COUPLING DRIVE MEANS FOR CAM ACTUATED SWITCHES The presentinvention relates to a timing means; more particularly the presentinvention relates to a timing means in combination with a gascirculating means for use in appliances such as refrigerators.

Defrost timers have long been used to selectively activate cooling andheating mechanisms in accordance with a predetermined cycle. The timersare usually motor driven through their own separate motor means, themotor means deriving its power from a power source of the refrigeratoror components thereof.

Regardless of whether the refrigerator is being heated for defrosting orbeing cooled, means are generally provided to circulate the air withinthe storage compartment of the refrigerator. For the most part, the gascirculating means, such as a fan, has been operated apart and distinctfrom the-timing mechanism operating the heating and cooling means of therefrigerator. In the interest of neatness and compactness and fewernumber of parts it would be desirable if the gas circulating means couldbe operable directly off of the timer controlling the operation of theheating and cooling means of the refrigerator.

The present invention is concerned with the provision of a defrost timerin combination with a gas circulating means and has as one of itsobjects the provision of such a combination which is compact, with aminimum number of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas circulating meansand a timer means both of which are operable off of a single motor.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a gascirculating means and a timer means wherein the gas circulating meansincludes a fan carried by a shaft of a motor and wherein the timingmeans is driven by the same motor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a gas circulatingand timer means which includes a fan carried by a shaft of a motor withthe timer means being driven by the motor through a magnetic coupling.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a timer driven by amotor, the timing mechanism being driven off the motor through a pair ofmagnets one connected to the timing mechanism and one connected to themotor.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the motor and thetimer are each enclosed in separate housings such that each may bepackaged separately and assembled together where needed. This enablesrepairs, etc. to be readily made.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a gas circulating and timer means withportions thereof being removed;

FIG. 2 is a view looking at the timer end of the device of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of one of the magnets providing the magnetcoupling between the timer and a motor of the device.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished byproviding a gas circulating and timer means comprising: a motor drivemeans including a rotatable shaft extending therethrough; a fan carriedat one end of the shaft; a first magnet carried at the other end of theshaft; a rotor spaced from an in axial alignment with the first magnet;a second magnet carried by the rotor juxtaposition the first magnet;speed reduction means coupled to the rotor; and cam means coupled to therotor and switch means responsive to the rotation of the cam means.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a gas circulating means 10and a timer means 12 both of which are power driven through a motor 14.Motor means 14 (the details of which are not shown) is enclosed in ahousing 16 and includes a rotatable shaft 18. Housing 16 includes acup-shaped member 15.

Gas circulating means 10 includes a fan 20 carried at one end of theshaft 18.

Timing means 12, in general, includes a cam means 22 and switch means 24which are open and closed in response to rotation of the cam means. Cammeans 22 is coupled to motor 14 through speed reducing means 26, rotor25, and magnetic coupling means 28. Cam means 22 includes a single cam23 having a constant rise terminating in an abrupt step 30. Switch means24 includes a contact blade 32 centrally disposed between contact blades34 and 36, blade 32 having electrical contacts 32' and 32" whichalternatively engage electrical contacts 34' and 36 as blade 32 is movedin accordance with the rotation of cam 23. As shown, the contact bladesare cantilevered in terminal block 40 which is carried in the outerhousing 42 for the timing mechanism 12. The amount that the bladeextends from the terminal block is determined and maintained throughdimples (not shown) formed as part of the switch blades and which seatin cavities 44 of the terminal block. The terminal block 40 includes abarrier wall 41 which aids in preventing oil or other deleterious material from damaging the switch means. Proper spacing between the bladesis maintained through spacer means 46. Spacer means 46 includes a basemember 48 slideably carried within cavity 50 of the terminal block andlegs 52 and S4 extneding from the base member. As more clearly shown inFIG. 3 the legs 52 and 54 maintain the space between the blades as theslides within the cavity.

Speed reducing means 26 includes a series of gears 27 and pinions 29,the number and configuration of which determine the rotational speed ofthe cam 23. As shown, gear 27 is connected to output pinion 21 with gear27' carrying the cam 23.

As shown, the timing means and the speed reducing means is enclosedwithin housing 42. Housing 42 includes a cup shaped member 43 and acover plate 45. The housing 42 is held against the motor housing througha plurality of cooperating internally threaded bolts 49 and threadedstuds 47 holding each housing against mounting plate 51. The cooperatingbolts and stud are encased in sleeve 53 which serves to maintain apredetermined distance between the motor and the timer.

Magnetic coupling means 28 includes a pair of spaced magnets and 62,magnet 60 being fixedly carried on shaft 18 through sleeve 64, magnet 62being included as part of rotor 25. Rotor 25, in addition to includingmagnet 62, includes a hub portion 68 and output pinion 21 which arerotatably journalled on shaft 72. The magnets are juxtaposition eachother and, as shown in FIG. 4, include an even number of radial polesections of alternate north and south polarity, the polarity along theaxis being opposite that shown. A fiberous material such as a laminatedpaper base phenolic surrounds magnets 60 to protect it from anydeleterious material eminating from the motor section H6.

in operation, and when being used in a refrigerator, when an AC currentis applied to the in, shaft l8 will be rotated. Fan 20 will be rotatedin accordance with the rotation of the shaft to circulate air or othergas in the storage compartment of the refrigerator. Magnet 60 will alsobe rotated in accordance with shaft 18. Because of the magnetic forceand the attraction between the two magnets, magnet 62 will also berotated to thus rotate hub 68 and output pinion 21. Rotation of outputpinion 21 causes rotation of cam 23 through speed reduction means 26. Ascam 23' is rotated blade 32 will be biased to engage contact 32' withelectrical contact 34 to complete an electrical circuit to a defrostdevice such as a heater to defrost the refrigerator. Upon reaching thearcuate step 30 contact blade 32 will drop to engage electrical contact32" with electrical contact 36 to complete an electrical circuit to acooling means such as a compressor to cool the refrigerator.

The timer section of the device also includes a means 74 to manually setthe starting time for the sequential operation of the refrigerator. Thatis, the time for defrosting or cooling the refrigerator may be set inaccordance with the original setting of the cam 23. Means 741 includes aslotted head 76 and clutch means 78. A suitable tool such as a screwdriver may engage the head 76 for manual rotation thereof. A knurledknob for fingertip setting may also be used in place of head 76. Clutchmeans 78 is of the uni-directional type and includes a spring 80 fixedlycarried on a hub 82 which is rotatably carried on shaft 84, and gear 86(part of speed reducing means) have a plurality of slots $8. Upon manualrotation of cam 23 in a predetermined direction, rotation of gear 27will cause rotation of shaft 84 through a pinion (not shown) to causerotation of spring 30. The free ends of spring 8@ will pass over theslots 88 so that gear 86 will not be rotated. When cam 23 is being powerdriven through the motor to, gear 86 will rotate in the oppositedirection, the ends of the spring 80 will engage the slots 88 to berotated therewith thus causing rotation of hub 82 which through itspinion (not shown) will cause rotation of gear 27".

Thus there is described a gas circulating and timer means providing twoseparate functions operating from the same motor the whole unit beingneat and compact. Also the timer and motor are packaged" separately suchthat each may be handled separately.

What is claimed is:

1. A gas circulating and timer means comprising:

a. a motor drive means including a rotatable shaft extending throughsaid motor,

b. a fan carried at one end of said shaft,

c. a first magnet carried at the other end of said shaft,

d. a rotor spaced from said first magnet,

e. said rotor including a second magnet juxtaposition said first magnet,

f. speed reduction means coupled to said rotor,

g. cam means coupled to said speed reduction means, and switch meansresponsive to rotation of said cam means.

2. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim ll wherein saidfirst and second magnets are circular discs each having an even numberof poles of alternate north and south polarity, said poles of one ofsaid magnets facing said poles of the other of said magnets.

3. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim ll wherein saidcam means includes a single constant rise cam and said switch meansincludes a blade having electrical contacts on opposed sides thereof,said blade movable between two spaced fixed blades having electricalcontacts cooperating with the first named electrical contacts.

4. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim 3 wherein saidblades are cantilevered at one end and wherein spacer means maintainssaid blades separated a predetermined distance.

5. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim 1 wherein saidspeed reducing means includes clutch means and means coupled to saidspeed reducing means permitting manual setting of said timer means.

6. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim 5 wherein saidspeed reducing means comprises a gear train coupling said cam means tosaid rotor, said means permitting manual setting includes a shaftcarrying said cam means, and said clutch means comprises a spring-biasedgear coupling said shaft to said gear train.

7. in a timer wherein a cam means selectively opens and closes switchmeans in response to motor driven rotation of said cam means, meanscoupling said cam means to a motor comprising a first magnet coupled tosaid motor, a second magnet coupled to said cam means such that motordriven rotation of said first magnet causes rotation of said secondmagnet to cause rotation of said cam means.

in a timer according to claim 7 wherein each of said first and secondmagnets have an even number of poles of alternate north and southpolarities, said poles of one of said magnets facing said poles of theother of said magnets.

9. In combination, a timer wherein a cam means selectively opens andcloses switch means, and a motor applying power driven rotation to saidcam means through speed reducing means connected between said motor andsaid cam means, said timer and said motor each enclosed in separatehousings, means maintaining said housings in spaced relation, firstmagnetic cou pling means coupled to said motor and disposed whollywithin said motor housing, second magnetic coupling means coupled tosaid cam means and disposed wholly within said timer housing, said firstand second magnetic coupling means cooperating to operationally couplesaid motor to said speed reducing means.

MI. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said first and secondcoupling means include permanent magnets.

11. The combination according to claim 9 further including speedreducing means disposed within said timer housing and coupled betweensaid cam means and said second coupling means.

a a a

1. A gas circulating and timer means comprising: a. a motor drive meansincluding a rotatable shaft extending through said motor, b. a fancarried at one end of said shaft, c. a first magnet carried at the otherend of said shaft, d. a rotor spaced from said first magnet, e. saidrotor including a second magnet juxtaposition said first magnet, f.speed reduction means coupled to said rotor, g. cam means coupled tosaid speed reduction means, and switch means responsive to rotation ofsaid cam means.
 2. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim1 wherein said first and second magnets are circular discs each havingan even number of poles of alternate north and south polarity, saidpoles of one of said magnets facing said poles of the other of saidmagnets.
 3. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim 1wherein said cam means includes a single constant rise cam and saidswitch means includes a blade having electrical contacts on opposedsides thereof, said blade movable between two spaced fixed blades havingelectrical contacts cooperating with the first named electricalcontacts.
 4. A gas circulating and timer means according to claim 3wherein said blades are cantilevered at one end and wherein spacer meansmaintains said blades separated a predetermined distance.
 5. A gascirculating and timer means according To claim 1 wherein said speedreducing means includes clutch means and means coupled to said speedreducing means permitting manual setting of said timer means.
 6. A gascirculating and timer means according to claim 5 wherein said speedreducing means comprises a gear train coupling said cam means to saidrotor, said means permitting manual setting includes a shaft carryingsaid cam means, and said clutch means comprises a spring-biased gearcoupling said shaft to said gear train.
 7. In a timer wherein a cammeans selectively opens and closes switch means in response to motordriven rotation of said cam means, means coupling said cam means to amotor comprising a first magnet coupled to said motor, a second magnetcoupled to said cam means such that motor driven rotation of said firstmagnet causes rotation of said second magnet to cause rotation of saidcam means.
 8. In a timer according to claim 7 wherein each of said firstand second magnets have an even number of poles of alternate north andsouth polarities, said poles of one of said magnets facing said poles ofthe other of said magnets.
 9. In combination, a timer wherein a cammeans selectively opens and closes switch means, and a motor applyingpower driven rotation to said cam means through speed reducing meansconnected between said motor and said cam means, said timer and saidmotor each enclosed in separate housings, means maintaining saidhousings in spaced relation, first magnetic coupling means coupled tosaid motor and disposed wholly within said motor housing, secondmagnetic coupling means coupled to said cam means and disposed whollywithin said timer housing, said first and second magnetic coupling meanscooperating to operationally couple said motor to said speed reducingmeans.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said first andsecond coupling means include permanent magnets.
 11. The combinationaccording to claim 9 further including speed reducing means disposedwithin said timer housing and coupled between said cam means and saidsecond coupling means.